Tamiya 1/32nd Spitfire VIII

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 3:55 pm

After the Leopard, time for an aircraft, now you can never have enough spitfires, so it's spitfire time. The lovely tamiya kit, but rather than the Mk IX wanted to be slightly different, and not do an Ocean Grey / Green one.

I may have one or two extras for this, oh all right, maybee 6 or 7......

Work starts as expected with the cockpit - aluminium for the most part, but interior grey green ( Agama Red Top - Alcohol based paint ) for the main section of the cockpit

The rest of the day was spent with the Instrument panel, and control column. The control column is the Barracuda resin replacement, with the added cables, and the additional decals on the instrument panels - these really do add something to the panel.

Finally I started assembling the harness - glueing grommits into holes

Peter

SteveW · Post by **SteveW** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:11 pm

Off to a great start Peter. Look forward to following this one.

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Fri Aug 15, 2014 4:21 pm

Nice kit and extras and off to a great start

Lego · Post by **Lego** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 2:43 pm

Yeah that should be a beauty of a kit.

Love all the extras

Joesdad · Post by **Joesdad** » Sat Aug 16, 2014 3:09 pm

Looks a brilliant kit, the ultimate kit for me, looks like its in safe hands.
Doing great

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Aug 23, 2014 4:29 pm

Today's work on the Spitfire - basically lots of detail painting, decals, and the Radub belts. Just taped the full cockpit together for the moment before the fuselage goes together. Only needs some weathering down and the gunsight to be finished.

Peter

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 4:53 am

Wow! That cockpit looks gorgeous!

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 3:35 pm

Not a huge amount today, finished off the cockpit by adding the Gunsight and the oxygen hose, then closed up the fuselage.

Then a little Mr Surfacer on the a few of the joints, and adding the control surfaces.

Peter

AchtungPanzer · Post by **AchtungPanzer** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 4:28 pm

Wow ! Interior looks super

- keep it up

Joesdad · Post by **Joesdad** » Sun Aug 24, 2014 9:58 pm

My God Peter! That 'pit is fantastic, so clean...

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 2:26 am

You're right Peter.... No such thing as too many Spitfires.

Cockpit looks great.

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Mon Aug 25, 2014 3:09 pm

Today's work - sorting out the wings. First the wheel wells. Managed to lose one of the bit's for the inner wheel wells with the pivot, so had to replace it with Plasticard and brass tube. The inner sections are sprayed Alclad Aluminium, with the outer sections left to be painted the underside colour later.

Then added the inset panels to the underside for the Cannon bay, and the machine gun ejector ports. Also the blanking plate for the IFF.

Same for upper side of the wings. Note that I haven't used the resin cannon bulges, as they would not be correct for the scheme I have decided on.

Once the wings were complete, I fitted them to the fuselage, and added the inner wing fillets.

Some Mr Surfacer 1000 along the joints for the very minor gaps.

Then rubbed the Mr Surfacer back with cotton buds moistened with IPA - removes the excess without damaging the panels

Peter

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 4:11 pm

Today's work - first the tail wheel

Then on with the main gear - i've glued this in place rather than only using the magnets / screws as I only want the gear down.

Then on with the radiators - quite a lot of PE from the Eduard set. Sprayed alclad aluminium then alclad steel for the heat exchanger surfacers

Built up the Merlin with the Barracuda rocker covers with logos

Then sprayed semi-gloss black, and then picked out with Ammo gunmetal pigments - still a load of PE to add and details to paint.

Peter

bradsbunker · Post by **bradsbunker** » Sat Aug 30, 2014 6:08 pm

Great build so far, cockpit is looking fine

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sun Aug 31, 2014 4:22 pm

Today's work - first sorting out the harness straps, which were back to front

Then onwards with engine - Added the PE ignition harness, some weathering

Then made up the engine bearers - just slotted together for the moment, still got the oil pump and coolant piping to add

Peter

eightfooticeman · Post by **eightfooticeman** » Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:23 am

Your work has made me want this kit. Looking through the stash I find I have no spits.

Jon72286 · Post by **Jon72286** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 3:09 am

I have this kit in my stash. If I can make it 1/10 as nice as you have it going right now I will be happy with the results! What paints are you using??? Keep up the good work. Can't wait to see the progress.

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 8:51 am

Jon72286 wrote:What paints are you using???.

Anything - main paints are Agama Red Top for the Interior Grey Green (which by the way Ultimate really doesn't work with

), Tamiya X18 for the Semi Gloss black with Model Colour mix of Matt / Glossy black for some contrast. Aluminium is alclad, except for small details which is either Vallejo liquid silver or Citadel Mithril Silver. Cockpit details are Downey Artist Gouache paint.

Main Cammo will be done with Gunze Aqueous thinned with Mr Levelling Thinner.

There's no single make of paint that works for everything, but they all have different qualities and quirks (e.g. I hate Lifecolor with a passion for spraying but it brushes nicely, Tamiya is the exact opposite).

HTH

Peter

LudvigN · Post by **LudvigN** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:21 pm

Just had a look at that cockpit. That think looks rather like 1/6 than 1/32

Jon72286 · Post by **Jon72286** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 5:51 pm

That cockpit..............

Enough said. Keep it up brother!!!!!

MerseyTrainz · Post by **MerseyTrainz** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 7:13 pm

What can I say, the cockpits a dream!

Jon72286 · Post by **Jon72286** » Wed Sep 03, 2014 4:12 am

I think this post has made seriously consider making this my "on deck" kit...... Oh, SO many choices

lol

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Sep 06, 2014 3:35 pm

Today's work -

First added the oil pump and piping, and the coolant tank

Then added the cowling framing

Finally the cowlings - not overly impressed with these, it feels as if the magnets have been changed and aren't as strong, so the fit is a bit 'sloppy'. Also they don't have anything to hold them together at the front - this may be sorted once the prop is on. Worst case may end up gluing a couple of the panels just to add some stability, but will have to see.

Peter

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:15 pm

Today's work - while i was working out how to fix the cowlings, I built up the Propeller - Alclad, Semi-Gloss Black and yellow propeller tips, with some oil weathering

Then I sorted the cowlings. First I glued the top and bottom cowlings in place, then the starboard cowling fits in place with the magnet. The port side however was an issue, so I came up with an alternative plan. I drilled 0.3mm holes in some of the dzus fasteners, and through into the engine bearers, then glued a short length of 0.3mm copper wire in the hole. This then slots into place and seems to hold the cowling in place well enough. Still don't know why the magnet on one side seems to be a lot weaker.

Then it was onto masking the canopy with Parafilm ( with a little masking fluid at the edges ), then glued the canopy in place. The centre section and access door are tacked in place with copydex which will peel of later, as are the side cowlings. Paint starts next weekend.

Peter

Lego · Post by **Lego** » Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:05 pm

Fantastic work in the cockpit.

Build is coming along really well.

Jon72286 · Post by **Jon72286** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 5:06 am

Coming along nicely! Keep up the good work

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 3:56 pm

Day off today, so got some more done. First added the lights on the underside, masking with parafilm

Then a coat of Interior Grey-Green over the canopy frames

Then a coat of Alclad grey primer, which revealed some issues, so out with some Mr Surfacer 500.

Then rubbed down, and polished with a tac cloth to pick up the dust.

Then on with the pre-shading - black, followed by buff, and white in areas to break up the panels.

Peter

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 10:41 am

Quick update from this morning - Sprayed the Medium Sea Grey for the underside. Now have to wait for this to cure before masking over it ready to spray the main cammo.

Peter

Willem · Post by **Willem** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 12:51 pm

Hi Peter. Really enjoying following your build.

Paintwork is looking excellent.

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Sep 13, 2014 2:41 pm

After a couple of hours of drying masked off the bottom, then sprayed the Dark Earth

Then the dark green

Need to cut masks for the 'oversprayed' original roundels, and the theatre bands, so i'll let this cure overnight before starting those.

Peter

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 2:41 pm

Today's work - first masking off and spraying the 'overpainted' roundels. Used my craft robo to cut the masks.

Then lots of masking tape to mask off the theatre bands

Sprayed the white theatre bands

Then a coat of Klear over the top

Peter

Nige201980 · Post by **Nige201980** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 7:00 pm

Brill work mate looking forward to the next update.

martin57 · Post by **martin57** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 8:32 pm

very nice like it a lot

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:06 pm

I missed this....glad I found it...great work so far mate, the pre-shading looks a treat and the propeller and spinner look the biz.

What brand of paints are you using?

Cheers

Martin

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Wed Sep 17, 2014 7:26 pm

UKguyInUSA wrote: What brand of paints are you using?

The main cammo is Gunze Aqueous thinned with Mr Levelling Thinner 50/50. The Theatre bands are Tamiya XF-1 white, once again thinned 50/50 with Mr Levelling Thinner.

Peter

chief5437 · Post by **chief5437** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:59 am

Amazing work! Looks awesome, keep it up buddy!

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Thu Sep 18, 2014 1:54 pm

pmarshall wrote:
UKguyInUSA wrote: What brand of paints are you using?
The main cammo is Gunze Aqueous thinned with Mr Levelling Thinner 50/50. The Theatre bands are Tamiya XF-1 white, once again thinned 50/50 with Mr Levelling Thinner.

Peter

Thanks, Peter

LeoDahlin · Post by **LeoDahlin** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:56 pm

Looks great so far, can wait to see it finished!

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Sep 20, 2014 2:55 pm

Today's work - Started by rubbing the wingroots with a stiff brush and water, to loosen the 'Worn Effects' over the Alclad and give some wear.

Then on with the decals

Then another coat of Klear over the top

Peter

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 3:34 pm

A bit more done today and some added frustration. Got the tyres and wheels on the main landing gear, and the brake hoses. Added MIG oil wash over the surface, then wiped back.

Was starting the exhausts but managed to ping one of the fish tail exhaust stubs never to be seen again. So i've ordered a set of Quickboost replacements.

Peter

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Sun Sep 21, 2014 5:19 pm

Ouch...never fun losing pieces to the carpet monster, or amongst the desk clutter. Will you attempt to carve one out from some flat stock or part of a sprue? Besides that, she's looking gorgeous so far!

pmarshall · Post by **pmarshall** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 3:21 pm

Today's work, first arrange all the Quickboost exhausts on some bluetac to get them to arrange the port and starboard sides

Then sprayed with Black alclad primer, and arranged the usual alclad suspects for spraying

Then glued the exhaust stacks in place

Then sprayed a couple of colours of True-earth weathering to break up the surface again

Then matted down, and sprayed the exhaust stains

Added the radio mast and painted the insulator first.

Finally unmasked and polished the canopy, fitted the mirror and handle for the sliding section. Opened the entry hatch, added the crowbar, painted the cannon barrels and the nav lights.
Nearly done, just some stains and streaks to do tomorrow.

Peter

MrModelling · Post by **MrModelling** » Sat Sep 27, 2014 5:47 pm

That is a good looking plane! I think a bit more chipping would be good, but that's just my taste

UKguyInUSA · Post by **UKguyInUSA** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 1:35 am

Looking beautiful so far!

ToddS · Post by **ToddS** » Sun Sep 28, 2014 8:32 pm

Awesome start!! Cockpit is fantastic.. Look fwd to more pics..

mxmhero · Post by **mxmhero** » Sat Mar 14, 2015 5:17 pm

Great build, Love seeing it all step by step.

patrickroos · Post by **patrickroos** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 9:27 am

Cracking build mate!

Shaping up to a damn nice spit!

I love Your workbench cause it makes mine feel tidy!

(I periodically clean up but half way into a build It looks like Gremlins having a party)

I have been looking at the True Earth products for a while now and like their water based and non toxic approach.
What products have You been using and what are Your impressions?

Spook · Post by **Spook** » Sun Apr 05, 2015 4:56 pm

Awesome build fella that cockpit and engine are fantastic

Russiankaliber · Post by **Russiankaliber** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 2:36 am

That is a beautiful bird!

Amazing job good sir

keithinflorida · Post by **keithinflorida** » Thu Aug 13, 2015 1:36 am

Stunning looking model - You've got to be happy with progress so far.